The Aesthete's Alphabet - V is for Velvet

How to describe velvet......soft, smooth, luxurious, irresistible, so alluring, in fact, that you are compelled to feel its texture against your cheek, like rose petals.....



 or Blossom's ears! (She's my beagle pup in case you were wondering)

Velvet can be used successfully in almost any room in the home...

The living room is the obvious choice as these beautiful velvet sofa's and chairs show....

It can add a really luxurious feel to a chaise longue or daybed.....

..... a sophisticated and inviting feel to a dining room....

.....and an indulgent real feel to a bedroom.

Velvet can be perfectly at home in a bathroom....

....or used to glam up some outdoor dining!

You could even let it go to the dogs....!

So much to love about velvet!

The alphabet will continue soon with W for .....what???

Till next time

Sharon x

Image source: 1. Unknown 2. Google 3. Own image 4. My Beautiful Disaster 5. The Enchanted Home 6. Casa Decorada 7. Tumblr 8. Decorare 9. Zsa Zsa Bellagio 10. House Beautiful 11. Paris Hotel Boutique 12. Tumblr 13. Architectural Digest 14. Georgiana Design 15. Decorare 16. Decorpad 17. Unknown 18 Divine Theatre 19 Sharla Eck on Tumblr 20 Tumblr 21Eclectic Revisited Blog 22 Fine Feathered Design Blog 23 & 24 Unknown 25. A Passion for Home 26. Decorpad 27. Emmiez Decor 28. Juxtapost 29. Decorpad (Sally Wheat) 30 Elle Decor 31. Lonny 32. Architectural Digest 33. Decorpad 34. House Beautiful 35. Velvet and Linen 36. Pinterest 37 & 38 Brown Dress with White Dots

Opulent Minimalism

I like things! There, I've said it! I love browsing in shops and markets. I am a collector and a gatherer and I am the first to admit it. However, I find that I am more and more drawn to pared down interiors; rooms that are sparsely furnished and accessorised.

I love rooms with bare wood or stone floors and roughly plastered walls, furnished with just a few, beautiful antiques and carefully edited accessories. I call it "opulent minimalism".

This is definitely not to be confused with the contemporary minimalist look that is all about chrome and glass and sharp edges and boxy furniture! That look is the complete antithesis of what I love.

Rooms that have beautiful proportions and interesting architectural details don't need a lot of adornment.

A few French antiques are all that is needed, upholstery must be in vintage linen or plush velvet.

Windows are left unadorned.

An air of romance presides and aged patina is a must.

Walls are left mostly bare.

 

The few pieces in the room must make a statement.

Old books and interesting artifacts are all the accessories that are needed.

Beautiful and elaborate sconces and chandeliers create the required opulence.

A beautiful canopy bed needs only a small and simple side table.

Gilt fits perfectly with this look.

An exotic and elaborate piece of furniture creates interest.

No clutter is allowed

I think this type of interior requires quite a lot of discipline? Discipline that I'm not sure that I have! Do you?

 

 

 

Till next time

 

Sharon x

Images via: Pinterest, Cote de Texas, EuroAntiqueMarket, Eclectic Revisited, Veranda, Simple Everyday Glamour, UKTV, Pure Provenance.